University reveals that more students are taking web-based classes

The University of Illinois (UI) recently found that nearly 6 out of 10 students attending classes at the school are doing so over the internet, according to The State Journal-Register.

The school recently received two awards for online programs and leadership from the Sloan Consortium, as well as receiving $3 million in grants recently to establish its web-based courses. Currently, the university offers curricula for both undergraduate and graduate studies.

School officials added that the university offers 17 degrees and degree-completion programs online.Furthermore, some academic departments are making required classes available over the Internet.

Web-based learning "is not like anything you get face-to-face,” Scott Day, UI professor and chair of its educational leadership program, told the news source “The discussion is just so much more rich.”

College officials added that online students are required to upload detailed comments and interact with classmates for every lesson, which allows everyone contribute in the course.

According to the 2010 Sloan Survey of Online Learning, nearly 30 percent of all colleges and university students now take at least one course online.